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hTMA (hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) nutritional balancing the practice of attempting to analyze human hair to determine nutritional factors. According to Quackwatch, "analysis of human hair is not a valid technique for identifying an individual's current bodily excesses or deficiencies of essential or nonessential elements. Nor does it provide a valid basis for recommending vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements."

Nutritional Balancing science

Hair is one of the biological sample tissues of choice used by the Environmental Protection Agency in determining toxic metal exposure. A 1980 EPA report states that hair can be effectively used for biological monitoring of the highest priority toxic metals. The EPA report confirms findings of other studies which also conclude that hair may be a more appropriate tissue for studying exposure to some trace metals.

Quackwatch addresses HTMA in an article entitled, Commercial Hair Analysis: A Cardinal Sign of Quackery.

Drugs

Drugs can be categorized by their sympathomimetic or parasympathomimetic action, which mimics sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system activity. Some of the sympathetic inducing drugs include epinephrine, phenylephrine and methoxa-mine. Other drugs produce a sympathetic action by affecting neurotransmitter release. These include ephedrine, tyramine and amphetamines. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of bronchial spasms associated with manifestations of asthma and allergies. Sympatholytic drugs can be considered sedative in that they block sympathetic activity centrally or peripherally by inhibiting or blocking neurotransmission. Centrally acting sympathetic inhibitors include clonidine and methyldopa. Their common trade names are Catapres, Aldomet and Aldoril. Reserpine and rauwolfia are alkaloids that prevent the synthesis and storage of norepinephrine, while gua-nethidine blocks its release. Some trade names are Diupress, Harmonyl and Isme-lin. Alpha and beta receptor blockers are prazosin, phenoxybenzarhine, propanolol, nadolol and metoprolol. Their common trade names are Minipress, Dibenzyline, Lopressor, Corgard and Inderal. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. Parasympathomimetic drugs include, acetycholine, muscarine, pilocarpine, methacholine and carbamylcholine. Other drugs that potentiate the effects of aceto-choline are neostigmine, physostigmine, pyridostigmine and carbamylmethylcholine chloride. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of neurological or neuromuscular disturbances such as myasthenia gravis. For a further listing of sympathetic and parasympathetic drugs consult the Physicians' Desk Reference. Drugs also interfere with nutrient absorption and retention. As an example, antacids, laxatives, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids and antibacterial agents are known to produce a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. They exert a chelating action upon calcium and antagonize the metabolic effects of vitamin D. Prolonged use can lead to rickets, osteomalacia and other calcium deficiency disorders. An individual's nutritional status in turn can also affect the metabolism of drugs.

Further reading

Books

• The Strands of Health: Understanding Hair Mineral Analysis – Dr. Rick Malter, Ph. D.
• Hair, Trace Elements, and Human Illness – A.C. Brown

See also

• Hair analysis
• Hair

References

1. ^ Barrett, Steven. "Commercial Hair Analysis: A Cardinal Sign of Quackery". Retrieved 19 February 2013.
2. Jenkins, D. (1980). BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF TOXIC TRACE METALS. VOLUME 2. TOXIC TRACE METALS IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF THE WORLD. PART I (EPA600380090). Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
3. Guyton, AC (1971). Textbook of Medical Physiology, 4th Ed. Saunders Pub.
4. Roe, DA (1980). Drug Induced Nutritional Deficiencies. Conn.: AVI Pub.
5. Becking, GC (1970). "Hepatic Drug Metabolism in Zinc Deficient Rats". Biochem. Pharmacol. 19. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
6. Dingell, JV (1966). "Impairment of Drug Metabolism in Calcium Deficiency". Biochem. Pharmacol. 15. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
7. Catz, GS (1970). "Effects of Iron, Riboflavin and Iodide Deficiencies on Hepatic Drug-Metabolizing Systems". Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 174.

• Toxicology